August H. Pierson Jr.

The board discussed the town's fiscal year 2027 budget, focusing on maintaining fiscal stability through balanced general, water, and sewer funds while holding property tax rates unchanged. Key topics included staffing vacancies in the police and public works departments, the potential hiring of a building inspector/code officer, and infrastructure projects, such as street repaving and the replacement of undersized water lines. Additionally, the meeting addressed grant applications for building inspector positions and equipment upgrades. The board reviewed current financial projections, noted the town's competitive tax position within the county, and discussed the ongoing commitment to long-term sustainability through strategic infrastructure investment.

The town meeting was cancelled to allow the Mayor and Board of Commissioners to attend the Maryland Municipal League Convention.

The Board of Commissioners discussed the demolition process for properties located at 16 Main Street, 13 Cherry Street, and 19 Cherry Street, highlighting the plan to pull down the buildings from behind to reduce costs. A pre-bid meeting for interested contractors was scheduled, and the Board agreed to allow the Town Administrator, town attorney, and engineer to review and award the demolition contract. Additionally, the Board discussed a $1 million grant to develop a solar panel array to reduce electricity costs for the town, with potential plans to implement the project at Plumpton Park Zoo as part of a public-private partnership.

The meeting primarily focused on the introduction of the fiscal year 2027 budget. The Town Administrator provided a detailed overview of the town's financial history, specifically addressing the impact of the historical water and sewer moratorium on real estate tax revenue, property valuations, and service costs. The discussion also covered current economic conditions, including housing market trends and local development, as well as the importance of managing operating costs like energy consumption for municipal infrastructure.

The meeting featured a comprehensive update from the town administrator regarding the upcoming budget, which maintains current service levels without tax increases, and a review of residential and commercial development projects, including Pond Valley, Stevens Preserve, Maple Heights, Mavis Tire, and the Rising Sun Commons employment center zoning project. Additionally, the administrator provided updates on the status of various state and federal grants, specifically regarding demolition on Main Street, church renovations, a safe streets pedestrian evaluation, and park improvements. The Chief of Police also shared participation in local Read Across America events.